The Supreme Court has issued a notice to the Union government regarding potential failures by social media platforms in adhering to legal requirements aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse material (CSEAM). The Court highlighted the platforms’ responsibilities to report such offenses to Indian law enforcement and to ensure that details of offenders are quickly uploaded to the National Database of Sexual Offenders (NDSO). This move underscores the judicial system’s commitment to protecting children from online threats and holding intermediaries accountable for their role in safeguarding against exploitation.
A bench of justices JB Pardiwala and K Vinod Chandran directed the Centre, through the ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY) and the ministry of law and justice, to respond to the concerns raised by NGO Just Rights for Children Alliance, which has approached the court in a pending matter concerning protection of children from online sexual exploitation. The court recalled its September 23, 2024 judgment, in which it had held that intermediaries cannot claim the safe-harbour protection available under Section 79 of the Information Technology Act merely by complying with the IT Act if they fail to comply with the mandatory requirement of the Pocso act .
Also Read I Transgender IDs to be valid till verdict is out on new law, govt tells Supreme Court The court said the issues brought before it were a matter of “serious concern” and merited its “full and anxious consideration”.
